Original subtitles

Well, I've been picking cauliflower all day long in the pouring rain.

I've been picking cauliflower all day long in the pouring rain.

Hello. Jenny.

Yes?

It's Steve.

You're in London?

No, I'm here.

In the old place.

You're in your old place? Why?

Family stuff.

You know, the sort of thing.

Well, I'm just leaving. I can't talk now.

Can I see you?

Unlikely. I have to go.

Jenny.

Who was that?

Ah, that... bloody woman from the gym. She wants me to start yoga classes.

That stupid stretching is not exercise.

No. See you later.

There you go, sir. Thank you very much.

All day long in the pouring rain.

Well, I know, I know my room.

I'm taking college flowers home again.

Taxi night.

Hello Dad?

Dad?

Oh my God, Father.

My God, Father. He got here so quickly.

I didn't think he could get away.

Oh, Nicky called. I managed to arrange a few things.

A drink.

Let me get you a drink.

A coffee would be good.

Coffee?

How was the trip?

It was okay.

A bit boring. Watched some miniseries.

The place is a bit of a mess.

Bit of a mess? What do you mean?

Well, the garden's all neglected.

The pot plant are dying. A bit of rain and I'll be all right. And what's all

this? All your clothes?

Drying.

Why don't you put them in the dryer?

Broken.

You can hang him outside on the line. Hey, it's all right. You know, what's it

matter?

I mean, you come in here after a long while and you start criticising.

What happened to that cleaning lady? What was her name? May?

She's been coming in for years.

She's an old cow. She's demented.

She nags you to tidy up.

Oh, well, at least you haven't messed up my room.

So how is she now?

My bloody mate as ever, never stopped talking. No, not my.

Mother.

Mother.

She's the same. Yeah, just the same.

How is she?

Well, what do you think?

Bloody awful.

When's she going to wake up?

Oh, it's hard to say. She sleeps most of the time.

When did she last speak?

She said a few words not long after I called you in London.

And what did she say?

She just looked at me and said, Hello, dear.

Is this place okay?

Yeah, I think so.

But from Mum's section, I don't think anyone ever walked out.

I know all of them. They're all locals.

We all end up in here.

That was old Mrs. Hintz in the next bed. She's got that, what's it called?

Alzheimer's. Yeah, but is she in any pain?

Mrs. Hintz? No, mother.

Mother?

I mean, do they give her morphine? She's never complained.

It's a shame you couldn't have got here earlier when I called the first time. I

was working, you know.

So how long can you stay for?

A couple of weeks, maybe a bit more. A couple of weeks? It's a long way to come

for a couple of weeks.

I've got an operative in Germany.

What opera?

Does it matter?

You've never heard of it. You don't know anything about opera. What is it?

It's a traviata.

Never heard of it.

Beer, mate?

Please.

You Fred Seary's boy.

How do you know?

Everybody knows Fred.

Your mum's sick.

Heard you were coming.

No secrets around here, no?

Evidently not.

You've been overseas?

That's right.

You're a painter or something, aren't you?

I'm a stage designer.

Oh, hey.

What's on the eat?

What's good?

Oh, fish and chips.

Great.

A good kangaroo, if you like.

No, fish and chips is fine. Thank you. Sure.

She designed stages.

I design sets for plays and operas, mostly operas.

Sounds a bit... Hey,

you can't be like that these days.

You're living in the past.

This bloke forgot in the past.

Hey.

High school.

Mate, you're... Dave Bell.

That's Greg.

I remember you were the school bullies.

That's us.

We were kids then, you know?

Kids can be pretty, um, mean.

Mean. Or you want a written apology.

And you learnt how to write.

Nice one.

Yeah, yeah. It was great, Bob.

You went off to uni, eh?

Did something.

Art. Architecture.

Always wear a smartarse.

Sorry about that. Oh, that's okay, mate.

You couldn't help it.

There you go.

Thank you.

Most of the lights are out.

Why don't you change the bowls?

I'm going to get some.

And there's newspapers all over the place.

I mean, they're years old, some of them.

Yeah, there's some articles I want to keep.

Okay, we'll keep those ones.

Get rid of the rest.

Don't nag me.

You want to have something to eat? I've got some baked beans. No, I'm good,

thanks. I've got something in the pub.

I don't need a liar.

Oh, thanks.

That won't work here. It's got no, um, uh... Internet?

Yes, it will.

I got this from Nicky.

It's a dongle.

She works in IT, remember?

Hmm?

IT.

Whatever that is.

Thought you'd vanished into the outback.

No, I'm nearly there.

Stay in my parents' place.

How's your mother?

Not too good.

I'm sorry.

How long do you think?

It's hard to say.

I miss you.

Same here.

the Dvorak Concerto.

That's great.

Festival Hall?

No.

Newcastle.

Even they call from Germany about the opera. I'm working on the details.

I told them I'll email them.

I'll be back.

Don't be too long.

I might have to find another lover.

Don't do that.

You'll be disappointed.

Hello.

Mum, sorry, I couldn't get here earlier.

You've been in Albany, visiting Nicky, Peter and the kids.

London. I live in London.

London. Yeah.

Yeah, he works in London, Mum. London and all over Europe. He's famous.

Well, faintly famous.

I remember you always did want to travel.

You collected stamps of all the countries.

They're so far away.

They're not so far away now.

You can get to Europe in a day. Same with America.

What's wrong with Australia?

Nothing's wrong with it.

Where's that old devil?

Which old devil?

Your father.

He's still asleep, I suppose. It's quite early.

I'll bet the place looks like a gypsy camp.

Well, it's not going to make House and Garden or Architectural Digest.

He's still having that affair, aren't I?

That's why he's so tired.

What affair?

It's that nightclub pianist.

A night... Mum, what nightclub pianist is going to be interested in an old ruin

like that?

She's not so young herself, either.

It's been going on for years.

Really?

Anyway,

what nightclub? There's no nightclubs around here, are there? I mean, this

exactly the Left Bank or New York.

She's up in Malama.

Up the road, not here.

In Malama.

Right.

Some tea for you, Mrs Suri. Yes, please, dear.

Coming up.

Excuse me.

She seems very odd.

I mean, is that the medication, maybe?

Could be.

She's old.

They all go a bit balmy.

Oh.

That way, Mr Gordon.

Gordon? He told me in high school.

What's wrong with him? He seems all right.

I should say hello.

Don't bother.

He wouldn't know you.

Or anyone else.

Can't even recognise himself in the mirror.

He'll probably go on like that for years.

I mean, most of the others drop off the perch every few minutes.

Seems every time I sit down for a cup of tea, someone rushes up and says, oh, so

-and -so's popped the clogs.

Sensitive, isn't she?

Guess it's the effect of working in here. This becomes everyday life.

Everyday death.

Dad!

G'day. How did you know I'd be here?

If you're not at home, I couldn't think of anywhere else you'd be.

You drove here. Why not?

That's not that far to walk and you're not supposed to be driving.

I'll be with you in a minute, Orb.

Nicky said they took your licence after you drove into the river. They all know

me. I can drive. It's safe.

You're a terrible driver, Dad.

How's your mother?

She was awake. She was talking.

Going on about you and some nightclub pianist in Malamup.

No truth in it? Of course not.

Ridiculous. Why would you believe such a thing? Well, you used to travel around

all the time.

Yeah, that's me.

The last commercial traveller.

Your mother's mind's gone. It's gone.

Nightclub pianist.

Jesus.

How's the house?

Comfortable? Five stars.

The food's a bit basic.

We should join Dad up to one of those healthy food delivery things. Oh, no, I

tried that last year. It was a waste of time.

He wouldn't touch it. Too many salads.

Oh.

Hey, did you ask him about that nightclub penis?

Oh.

Too absurd for words.

This isn't exactly the town for a surreptitious affair.

Oh, I don't know about that.

Remember the minister when we were kids? Oh, Reverend Heffernan. Yep, Reverend

Heffernan. All the wives were after him.

The ministers were like rock stars back then.

Yeah,

he ran off with the mayor's eldest daughter. It was a big, arrogant

What are we going to do with him?

Reverend Heffernan.

Dad.

We can't just leave him in the house watching old films on TV. I don't know.

At least he's got some old cronies around. Oh, God, I wouldn't rely on that

I

used

to watch this film as a kid.

I don't suppose he was much of an actor, but I liked his films.

And Douglas Fairbanks?

Like Gable?

They don't have stars like them anymore.

There's some pretty good actors around.

Not like Flynn and Gable.

Cate Blanchett.

Colin Farrell.

And Mark Rylance.

Not in the same class.

You know, I wanted to be an actor.

Yeah, you told me.

What a

life they have.

What a life.

Oh, hello.

Are you with sisters?

Oh, yes. You're their niece, aren't you?

They'll be glad to see you.

Round here.

Thank you.

You're back.

Didn't do too good over there, eh?

Told you.

No, I came to see Mum.

Nikki called, said she... He's been designing lots of operas, Aunt Molly.

Operas? Have you ever seen one?

Couldn't be bothered with that nonsense.

How's your mother?

Oh, the same.

How are you, Aunt Annie?

Do you like it here?

Of course she doesn't bloody like it here. Who'd like it?

Well, you both decided to move in here, Auntie.

No bloody choice, was there?

I couldn't get up a hill with the shops anymore.

And his kids all gone. God knows we're never in touch.

And your mother in hospital. And your father as useless as always.

Well, the staff seem nice and friendly.

They're all right.

Big more for Filipinos than Islanders.

You never see a white face.

There's TV, I'm sure.

You know, that's something.

I never look at it. Why not? It all goes too fast.

There's no stories.

No one can drive anymore. All the cars keep crashing.

The actors all mumble. The music's too loud.

And there's endless shows of white girls kissing black men.

What's the world coming to?

Talking about politically incorrect.

Oh, she was always like that. Remember how she used to go on about the

Oh, yeah.

She hated the Malt and the Bulk. And the Aitais and the Pongs and the Greeks.

And the Lebanese.

Now the Indians and the Chinese.

Well, at least she's an equal opportunity bigot.

It's sad.

She's resentful.

Resentful? About what?

About everything, pretty much.

She's watched old friends marry, have kids and all that.

Do well in jobs.

Aunt Annie didn't say a word.

She had a stroke?

No, the doctor told me she can talk.

He's just got nothing more to say.

I'm not looking forward to old age. I don't look forward.

Nice to leave a mark, though.

Let them know you were here.

Paintings. A few designs.

Oh, don't be so bloody pompous.

I'll have the steak.

May I like it, Fred? Well done.

You have the steak, it's good.

Okay, I'll have the steak, please.

Medium rare.

I'll have the veggie burger.

Triple wines?

Thank you.

Looks like an encyclopedia.

Well, half the country is in the wine business.

Hey, Steve, try the Cullen Diana Madeline 2012.

How are you, mate?

I'll have that.

then thank you very much.

Not the hospital?

Uh, no.

No, it's nothing. Just a news thing.

Um, this place has gone upmarket. Oh, do you have a bitty?

Not too much, just a bit. No, actually quite a bit. There's a coffee shop with

barista. Barista? No, barista.

And I hear there's a vegan cafe opening in a few weeks.

Yeah, and all run by those LBW types.

No, it's LGBTQ.

Not LBW.

Yeah, whatever.

Anyway, there's a left -wing mob who wants to get rid of the war memorial.

Dad, Stephen.

Margie.

Dave and Greg Bell told me you were back.

You're living in Perth. No, just a visit.

Mum's unwell.

I heard.

Sorry.

Well, might see you around.

That'd be nice.

Margie? Wasn't she an old squeeze of yours?

Not really.

A long time ago, when I was just out of high school.

If

I

had my time again There'd be

no days wasted

If I had my time again,

you would find me bolder.

Not hard to get to know.

It could mean disaster.

I'd be burning to begin.

Get some light bulbs and you won't need that torch.

I'm going to, I told you.

It's only at night, no problem during the day.

In the garden.

I mean, at least sweep up the leaves.

I've had it looking really good.

I'm going to, don't nag me.

You used to read a lot as a kid, you still do that?

Yeah, quite a bit.

I mean, maybe not as much.

I wanted to be a writer when I was young, you know.

Really? What stopped you?

Never went anywhere.

Nothing to write about.

Tennessee Williams became famous writing about his family.

Alice Munro won a Nobel Prize writing about her day -to -day life.

Must have been more dramatic than what goes on around Yarra Biddy.

I doubt it.

If people want to write, they just write.

There's stories everywhere.

What's this?

That's just some rough sketches for the sets.

Traviata.

Right.

What's it mean in English?

Something like the fallen woman.

Doesn't sound too cheerful.

No. The heroine's love life goes all wrong. She dies of consumption at 23.

Laugh a minute.

Remember, the music's wonderful.

The libretto's adapted from Dumas' The Lady with the Camellias.

Is that so?

Fascinating.

Dumas, eh?

You know, even as a kid, you were always refined and sensitive.

I was going to say, a bit of a pain in the arse.

Any other problems, just get in touch, okay?

Dr. Thomas.

Um, my mother.

Mrs. Siri.

Isn't she being cared for?

Well, I believe so.

I was wondering if you could tell me, perhaps, how long she's got.

Look, I've no idea.

Over a few weeks, a month perhaps. You seem pretty bloody casual.

I mean, does anybody give a fuck around here?

You're her son.

People get old, their systems back up, and they die.

That's what happens.

Sorry, immortality isn't an option yet.

Hey. Where are you?

I'm on the bus.

But didn't Dad tell you?

Tell me what?

Well, I forgot at Perth for a couple of days.

Of course he didn't tell me. Why didn't you tell me?

Well, I forgot.

I'm sorry.

Now, these have to go on the line now.

On the line?

What line?

No, that was for Dad. So, what are you doing?

I have a meeting with the opera.

Nonsense.

What do you mean?

I can always tell when you're lying. There's something else.

I'm not lying. There's a chance I might do some work.

All right, well, don't be too long. Mum's not going to live forever.

Well done.

Very good.

I didn't think I'd hear from you.

I don't think you would either.

You weakened.

Only for lunch.

Only for lunch.

Thank you.

Your mother?

Terrible.

I'm sorry.

She never liked me.

No.

She always seemed to like the girls that I wasn't so keen on.

They weren't such a threat.

If only she knew.

Knew? That I wasn't going to take you away from her.

Your career was always going to come first.

I loved you. You know that.

We were young.

20, 21. So we were.

And you're involved with someone.

How do you know that?

My secrets of this whole planet.

What does she do?

Do?

Well, not to you.

I can imagine that.

For a living.

She's a cellist.

She's Irish.

And she lives with you?

No. She's got her own place. In a house in Wexford.

Well, why doesn't she stay there?

Bitch.

You still dancing?

Not so much.

Choreographing.

Choreographing what?

Right now, a saraband for a scene at a TV show.

Saraband? Bach wrote sarabands?

He did.

But it was a dance from Mexico, they think.

It was banned for obscenity.

Obscenity.

Obscenity.

This is obscene. What is it?

By today's standards, the dancers, they take a few steps, they make hand

gestures, they move forward, move back.

It never leads to anything.

I know that situation.

In films, that's where they both light cigarettes and have meaningful

conversations.

I can't take up smoking now.

All meaningful conversations.

You kept this place.

I thought you'd have let it when you're away.

Have you ever tried letting it apart?

What do you mean?

The tenants always wreck it.

intending to do this today.

That's why you keep telling me.

I don't know what it is.

You've always had this effect on me.

Do you remember our first kiss?

I came after two seconds.

So did I.

Did you?

You never told me that.

I thought you knew.

What are you doing?

I'll have to go.

Go?

Now? I have a class.

I miss you.

And I never stopped you from rushing off to Europe.

You can bear missing me.

I'll call.

Don't call. There's no point.

You know that.

How's John?

Fine.

A bit overweight.

Very jealous, too.

Still rich?

Not rich.

Doing well.

Stock market.

Shares. Snob.

A good lover?

Enthusiastic.

Hi, Michael.

Heard you were back.

How? Well, word travels around.

Family. Yeah, family.

Families, aren't they the limit?

My mother still keeps trying to find the right girl for me.

That's a total waste of time.

Charles Kenilworth, our new artistic director.

Ah, Stephen Seary.

Why are you over here?

The Sydney Opera House collection to the harlot?

No, we came over to hear the new soprano. You know, possible Lucia.

Oh.

So... Still showing the same half a dozen operas over and over? It's not

dozen. It's about nine.

We'd have no audience if we didn't.

Still, as if they showed the same nine films over and over.

And now we are about to see an obscure Czech fairy tale

set to wonderful music.

brothers and sisters in Christ, every tear will be wiped away through Jesus

Christ our Lord.

Now? What do you mean, old?

Well, Enid's gone.

Yeah, I know she's gone.

She seemed to run the show now.

What show's that?

Your whole bloody life, mate.

Yeah.

Your mother gone, I'm sorry,

mate. Thank you, Peter.

It wasn't unexpected.

No, mate.

You know, the mother of a workmate of mine got hit by a car down in Albany.

just stepped off the footpath and bang.

Peter. Huh?

What? Not a very cheerful story.

No, I guess not. I'll get you another drink. Thank you.

OK. Well, you'd better face up to it.

Up to what?

Well, Dad, what do we do? And Mum's sisters.

There's nothing we can do about Mum's sisters. They've been cared for. I

suppose.

Dad? He won't be able to cope in that house. You know that.

Stephen, look, I've got to get back to Albany, all right? The kids have got

school. I can't just move up here. I've got to get back to Europe.

What, to England?

To Germany.

Is that definite?

Yes, it's definite. I've sent them all the designs. Here you go.

Thank you.

Well, I was just starting to think that you might have been undecided about

that. If I quit this job, I will never work in Europe again.

Well, what about that girl in Perth? You were mad about her.

What girl?

Jenny. I'm sure you've been in touch with her. Jenny?

I think she's married.

Wouldn't have thought that would stop you.

Your image of me is inaccurate and unflattering. No, realistic.

Sorry about your mum.

Thank you. Thank you.

We'll stay here for dinner.

It's great. Got everything. Roast beef.

Even got bread and butter pudding.

Sounds good.

Good to see you.

Nouveau cuisine hasn't made it this far. Oh, but it has.

What's that horrible stuff you made me eat?

Kale. Yeah, like seaweed.

Not a taste.

On the midsummer fairground Alive with the sound and the light Of the world,

it's America round The midway was crowded And I was the man

I would have done that. I bet you didn't.

To the gypsy who warned him of danger, beware of the beautiful stranger.

You got that for nothing, I said with a sigh, but the queen's head went up to

her critical eye. The lady in question is known to me now.

And I'd like to beware, but the problem is how.

There's a slight but considerable danger.

Give my love to the beautiful stranger.

Rebuilding the house, are you mate?

Just about.

All yours.

Thank you.

Any man that was worth a penny.

I'll be much?

No, not really. Just look around.

Place opens about 6 .30.

Right, thank you.

Is there a lady who works here?

Maybe. Who are you?

Police?

Licence on this place is up to date and I've paid off those crooks on the

council. What do you want?

Nothing, really. I just heard about this place.

But I think it was this place.

From my dad. He was a commercial traveler.

That must have been a while back, love.

Traveling men are all gone.

Sales are on the internet.

Not much fun.

I see.

Your dad said he came here.

He could have.

When he passed through town, he worked for one of the wine companies.

A bodega, I think I was.

Fred's theory.

Yeah, that's my dad.

Been a long time.

Don't tell me he hasn't dropped off the perch.

No, he's okay, more or less.

My mother died.

Travelling sales blokes were like Thalen.

A girl in every port and a wife hidden away somewhere.

Thanks,

but I'd better be going.

Will you say hello to Fred for me?

No, maybe not. Forget that. What's past is past. I'm off soon anyway.

Place will be closing by Christmas.

Off?

Queensland.

Got a sister in Townsville.

Bye, love.

You look pretty good in those days.

So did Mum.

Yeah, that's what happens when everything falls apart.

Oh, really?

Always?

That's what they tell me.

It's amazing.

That nightclub story.

Wasn't a fantasy of Mum's after all. I wouldn't call it a nightclub.

It's just a sort of a bar.

Even then, I don't think he's been there for years.

So you don't think he's planning a comeback?

No.

How did you get this? Oh, it was a cupboard on top of Mum's clothes.

That's Mum, that one.

I know.

I know.

She told me she met you in some park.

I was having a party with some mates. I crashed it.

I spotted your mum and I thought she was a bit of all right. Yeah, Mum told me

you never left her alone.

Followed her all over the place until she agreed to meet you somewhere.

Yeah, she was working in a dress shop in King Street.

Used to meet at one of those Italian coffee shops that sprung up everywhere.

I must have been keen, because I hated that... Espresso?

Espresso.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I hated that.

Well, good afternoon, everyone, and welcome.

This is a rare pleasure for me.

We don't get too many celebrities out here in Yarra Mini.

Tommy Lange, he was a stand -in for the Eagles.

Great player.

Good on you, Tommy. Get in there, mate.

Get in there, Tommy.

Yeah, all right, Dave. Yeah, no, we all know Tommy, but I'm not talking about

celebrities in your cricket or your footy. I'm talking about celebrities in

arts, OK?

And there's a young fella here that's been acclaimed right round the world.

in Europe and even in America for his work in theatre design, more

in your opera.

Now, he's won a lot of awards, most recently for his work in...

Hang on a sec. It's... Oh, yeah. Fancy a la Del West.

Fanchula Del West.

It means the Girl of the West.

It's by Puccini. Oh, thanks, Stephen.

That one was at Covent Garden.

by the way. Anyway, he's also done another award for Elixir the Moor by

Izzetti. How do I go with that one?

Elixir the Moor just means Elixir of Love.

And the composer was Gaetano Donizetti.

So you're right. And then his one here is a bit tricky.

It's Giuseppe the... Giuseppe Verdi.

It just means Joe Green in English, actually.

Is that right, Joe Green?

Who'd have thought?

Anyway, mate, as you can tell, opera's not my forte, but, mate, I just wanted

say, we know you grew up around here, and, well, we're just glad to see you

here for a visit, even though it's under such sad circumstances. Your mother,

well, she was a wonderful woman.

Mate, if you wouldn't mind making your way up, Stephen.

Stephen, if you could make your way up. I just wanted to...

Stephen, we'd like to present you with this small memento of your time here in

Yarra Biddy and maybe you'll think of us when you're back there in London, mate.

Thank you very much.

And

just

while we've got you there, mate, you are an artist and a designer, so we'd like

to use your expertise to choose the winner of our annual art prize.

Okay.

Eh? Yeah.

Hard to decide.

Very.

Here's our winner, folks.

Don't need all those languages.

Got lost.

Did you arrange all that?

Of course not. It was the mayor's idea.

Not many celebrity visitors around here.

I told him he didn't even qualify.

It was difficult, though.

The paintings were ghastly.

We're not in a West End gallery.

You say that again?

We're not in a West End gallery. Don't be so superior.

Sorry. You're right.

What?

A double level of standards.

Either the paintings are good or they're not, aren't they? I thought a couple of

them were great.

When are you leaving us?

Soon.

It'll have to be soon. At least you'll be there in a day.

I went to visit the old man back in Scotland years ago.

The bloody plane stopped three times on the way over.

Then Buddy gets a train all the way up to Glasgow and it was bloody freezing.

I couldn't wait to get back here, could I? Eddie.

Oh, just a sec. Over here, mate.

He's right.

It'll be real cold over there now.

Yes, but we do operas indoors in heated theatres.

You know you can do operas here.

He's right, Stephen. You don't have to go to France.

Germany. Germany.

You really like it over there.

Yes, I do.

Sorry.

Excuse me.

I'm just alert.

Well, come on then. Hey!

I'm sorry, mate.

He gets a bit carried away.

Tell him our particulars don't cost any more than a rock concert.

That was a lot of blow, mate.

Run the shit!

Come on.

Come on, Dad. Come on, buddy.

Come and run the shit.

Where'd

you

get all that?

Supermarket?

They don't just sell tins of baked beans.

How'd you learn to do that?

I learned how to cook.

I like cooking.

I remember as a kid you used to spend days listening to the cricket on the

radio.

What's wrong with that?

You used to listen to classical Music on the radio.

Yeah, the whole point of music is to hear it.

You got it all wrong about the cricket, though.

I just said it was a somewhat dull game to watch.

You said it would fade out.

Well, hours can go by and nothing happens.

Well, it's more popular now than ever.

Even the Americans are in the World Cup, along with us and the British and New

Zealanders and the South Africans and the Indians and the...

West Indies and Pakistanis and the Sri Lankans and there's even a team from

Afghanistan. Ha!

Fade out.

It's true.

You're going to steal my car.

Well, Dad, you don't have a licence.

I told you.

They don't take that seriously.

They will when you mow down a pedestrian.

And how do I get around without my car?

Well, you can walk into the shops, it's not far, and the mob from the bowling

club will keep an eye on you.

How far did it go?

Not too far.

That's Orb, isn't he, the taxi driver?

Yeah, only a couple of days a week.

This is his farm.

Come on, don't sit here.

Orb's got something to show you.

Over here.

It's an ancestry chart.

It's more than that.

You take a closer look.

See from start to finish.

Now look down the chart.

You see?

Orb is a direct descendant of

Jesus Christ.

It was totally ridiculous.

How can you say that? You saw the chart. You don't believe?

No, I don't believe it.

It's a fake chart.

It has to be.

What, do you really think a direct descendant of Christ was a part -time

driver in Yarrabee?

You were always like this, even as a little boy.

You remember that water diviner that came round? You said he was a fraud. He

a fraud.

He found water, remember?

He dug a hole next to a creek in a valley.

Of course he was going to find water.

Stephen.

So, how is Australia?

Herman, hello.

It's fine. It's going okay.

Are you in Sydney?

No, I'm a couple of hours outside of Perth. Western Australia.

Perth? I don't know the place.

Your mother.

We have not heard from you.

She passed away last week.

That's very sad.

But, Stephen, we... The opera. Yeah, I've been working on the set, and I've

you the designs.

We have the designs, but, my dear Stephen, we need you here.

A contract is a contract, Stephen.

I just have a few more things to sort out here.

Yeah, okay, well, sort out very fast.

I know, Herman, and I will be there.

Very good.

We'll see you then.

Edda?

What's the problem there?

What's that stuff in the bath?

Bath?

In the bath.

It's just beer.

Beer? Yeah, I'm brewing it.

You didn't touch it, did you? It's got to ferment for a couple of weeks and

I bottle it and... Can you just buy beer?

Yeah, but it's my hobby, brewing.

You know, malt and yeast and hops and... Does it taste any good?

No, not too good.

Mum say anything about the little stuff in the bath?

Yeah, she had quite a bit to say. She didn't like it. But now, man's got to

a hobby.

You heard those toy trains, remember? Tracks all over the house.

Yeah, but not in the bath.

No, not in the bath.

Where are you this time?

I'm on a plane.

No, to Sydney.

What the hell for?

I have a meeting.

It's only a five -hour flight. I'll be back tomorrow.

Oh. So he's harder to find than the Scarlet Pimpernel.

Or Lord Lucan.

Or Amelia Earhart.

Never heard of any of them.

Stephen. Charles.

Sorry I'm late.

The flight was delayed, as usual.

What a beautiful place.

It was a dump.

I had to have this whole thing rebuilt.

You know, this here was a wall.

No windows.

I mean, you couldn't see the view.

Look, I thought you might be hungry, so I had a little snack prepared.

I hope you like oysters and smoked trout.

And this...

is my friend, Lydia Stevenson.

Pleasure to meet you. And this is not Australian.

This is my favourite Sicilian wine.

Hope you like it.

I think you might.

Special wine for a special guest.

Thank you. So, tell me, what was life like out in the

stick?

Yarrabiddy.

That's okay.

Small town retirees and the bowling club and local gossip.

I was very sorry to hear about your mother.

Thanks.

It's very difficult.

Death of parents.

Were you very close?

I don't suppose I was.

As a kid, I always felt like a stranger.

I always felt like one day my real parents would turn up and take me with

And the ones you were stuck with, were they gifted or strict?

No, not at all.

It was just a matter of interest.

They never seemed to have anything in common.

All I ever wanted to do was get out of Yarra Biddy.

And you did.

Yeah, I did.

So, what now? Back to Europe?

That's the plan.

You don't sound certain. Certain?

I am.

Really?

Because I was thinking, with all the work you've done in Germany and England

so on, I thought maybe you might be getting a little tired of all that.

I thought maybe you might like to come back to all this.

Work here?

This is very flattering, Charles.

I've settled in over there.

Oh, don't worry. I know you've carved yourself out quite a career.

What's the show you've got lined up?

Traviata.

Bit of an old war horse.

Bit of masterpiece.

Yes.

I can send you a link and you can watch it online opening night.

Great. We saw your Rosenkavalier and Lucia online.

It was superb.

Yes, superb.

Thank you. You know, next year, we're going to be doing Peter Grand.

I thought that was something that might interest you. Oh, and not just to

design. You might like to direct.

Dad, I'm back.

Dad?

G'day. You're back early.

Dad?

Don't you think that's a bit strange?

What?

Having a shower with your clothes on.

I'm washing my bloody clothes as well as me. What's wrong with that?

A bit eccentric, perhaps?

Eccentric?

I'd call it practical.

I haven't got my shoes on.

I didn't wash them.

We used to come up here years ago, remember, Dad?

When we were little.

Yeah.

Of course I remember.

Used to bring your mother up here, too.

Yeah. Used to have picnics right here.

Why are we here now?

Don't worry, Dad. We're not going to throw you over the cliff.

That's a relief.

Yeah. Well, we've been discussing things, Dad.

What things?

Me?

We just need to talk.

About what?

Opera?

Your future.

Well, why should things change?

Dad, Mum's gone.

Yeah, and we just don't think that you can cope.

Of course I can cope.

We've had the house for years. I can cope.

We don't think so.

It's just you getting on, Dad.

There's nothing wrong with me, Nicky.

Nothing. Nothing wrong with me.

Dr. Roberts says I'm a perfect specimen.

It's ever since that trip to Orb, isn't it? That was it, wasn't it?

You think I'm senile?

Dad's amazed that I don't believe Orb Gillespie is a direct descendant of

Christ. You're always a cynic.

Dad, quite apart from the validity of Orb's claim,

I have to get back to Albany with Peter and the kids and Stephen's got to go

back to Europe.

And the beer.

What's wrong with that?

Well, I did some research. It was quite dangerous.

You can explode. You blow up the house.

Blow up the house.

What are you suggesting?

We sell the house. And I'll be able to find a nice place in Albany.

And not far from me.

A nice place.

I mean, a home for old duffers.

No, Dad.

No, Dad. I mean, a retirement home.

They'll be able to come and visit you often.

The kids, they love you, Jo.

You won't be alone.

Bye, love. Oh, don't be so dramatic, Dad. We'll see you soon in Albany.

Albany, while all my mates are here.

Oh, let's not go over that, Dad. You'll be better off down there than you know

it. Yeah, I don't know that I know it. You and Nicky keep telling me that I

it. You won't be far from it, Dad.

Tell us one of your jokes, Grandad.

I don't know I'm up for jokes.

Oh, come on, Grandad. Don't be a spoilsport.

Not the one about the witch in the woods you told at the bowling club.

Okay?

How do you fit four elephants in a small car?

How? Two in the front, two in the back.

How do you fit four giraffes in the car?

How? They don't fit anymore because the elephants are in there.

That's not a very funny joke, Grandad.

It's hilarious, Rodney. Right, we'd better get going, Dad. It's a long

It's nothing. It's 400 kilometres.

And what about we stop for pizza and ice cream, hey?

Yeah!

Is that the opera you're doing?

No, it's a production I did a few years ago.

It's Puccini's Il Tabarro.

What's that mean, tobacco?

Tabarro. It means the cloak.

Not bad.

No, it's not bad.

Margie.

You look shocked.

Why so surprised?

I'm expecting someone from the estate agency.

That's me, you dope.

But you were singing at the pub.

That's not a job. That's just fun.

I join Eddie and his boys once a week.

Ah, I see.

Am I invited in?

Yes. Sorry.

I only dress like this for work.

It's a costume.

I think the businesswoman impersonation gives the house owners confidence.

Yeah, I must admit, I just always thought estate agents and lawyers and

accountants were just crooks with licences to rob their clients.

Pinnacle, but not far from the truth.

Where's your dad?

He's asleep in his bedroom.

Do you really think you could sell this place for a decent price?

I think so.

It's a bit of a wreck.

You should have seen it before we cleaned up.

The position's good.

People come up here from the city.

People want to move here.

Of course.

What do they do?

Some are retired, some work from home.

They all like the quiet country life.

Not everyone wants to run off to Europe or America.

A lot of work doing this place up.

I can arrange some cosmetic stuff.

Bottles of flowers all over the place helps a lot.

And I won't bring anyone here in bad weather.

Big mistake.

I can see that you are right on top of this, Marty.

I am.

Well, I'll get going.

I'll bring around some contracts.

A marriage broke up, I'm sorry.

Yeah, a couple of years ago.

He left me for some Femme Fatale.

I mean, you're a bitty, really.

No, not really.

Just a mousy schoolteacher.

And you have a son?

Anthony.

He's, uh... He and his grandma live for the holidays.

Are you in bed?

Yeah, it's quite late here.

I wish I was there.

You hate this bed.

It's narrow and old.

I could make do.

When do you leave?

Four or five days.

Just sorting out some business with the house.

Don't lose that job in Germany.

No.

You practicing for the Dvorak concerto?

Of course.

In between sessions with lovers.

I'm learning some new tricks.

Your old ones are pretty good.

Yours, too.

I think all of these old rugs can be thrown away.

Like the old ruin who lives here.

Don't be such a drama queen, Dad.

I think he's found you a great place in Albany.

Your own flat with a big garden. Fantastic.

Sounds like fun.

Can't wait to get there.

I feel it in the distance.

It's not too far away.

A song for every heart that's broken.

You make me want to listen again and again.

In a silence filled with words unspoken.

Like the sunshine after rain.

Here comes still the same.

Every time so strong.

There's a place for you and me I might break, but now I know I can

brokenly live on. Where are we going?

Are you kidnapping me?

I suppose so.

So meet me on the mountain, halfway up the other side,

where the crimson time is growing.

Oh, babe.

Who the hell lives here?

You'll see.

You made it.

I did.

Not much choice.

Yeah, sorry about the little incident, mate.

Had a bit to drink, you know.

Didn't mean to. I thought you were pretty good.

A bit unexpected.

Had to learn to deal with hostile critics.

We know you're a wine buff.

So, um... So you two aren't just a couple of hitmen?

That's impressive.

You own all this?

Yeah, more or less.

Us and the bank, you know. Our dad, he started up here in the valley years ago.

Give it a, you know, it doesn't look like much now. Just give it a couple of

months. We'll just finish pruning, you know.

I just assumed you were somewhere with a few sheep.

No.

No, we're struggling with a few thousand barns, mate.

Screwtop. You know, the French say that a cork is better to keep the flavour.

No, that's rubbish.

I bet the French don't tell you how many bottles are ruined by cork taint.

That's a good Chardonnay.

Though I hear the best ones are from Margaret River.

Yeah, ours are just as good.

We also make the best Cabernet.

And we do it all ourselves, from grape to bottle.

Tell me.

Why am I here?

We're old school mates.

No, we just went to the same school.

There's a rumour that you might be coming back.

To Australia?

Who told you that?

Oh, it's just small -town gossip. You know how it is.

Now, Steve.

Stephen. Stephen.

Look, we're not doing too badly, yeah? Business is, you know, pretty good.

Oh, not so good. We could be doing far better.

I'm not rich, I'm afraid. I can't invest in your business. It's not a money

thing, mate. Yeah?

Your name will help us prestige on our letterhead.

And you're really well connected.

Really well connected.

Look, someone's got to supply all the drinks, the open night parties at the

opera house, the theatre, all those events. And it should be us.

And frankly, we're not too impressive talking to the arty type.

Really? Yeah.

We could use a front man.

One that always has a supply of great wine.

What do you think?

Can you help the boys?

I suppose I should.

Were they awful at school?

The worst.

People can change.

I never thought so, but maybe they can.

Maybe they do.

Meaning?

I sent some emails recommending their wine.

The wine's good.

I don't live here. No.

I do.

It's been a while since I've kissed a girl in a car.

I remember our first kiss in your mom's pantry.

I think she saw us.

I think so. She's showing a funny look.

You told the brothers I was coming back here?

I heard a rumour.

I guess... I heard.

There's opera houses everywhere in Europe.

There's a rarity in Germany. There's only two, three here. Strong argument.

Better than... Better than my new career in the wine business?

Better than Yaravidi, Paris.

Me.

How did your family end up here?

Remember Idi Amin?

Oh yeah, he's crazy.

Didn't he...

Eat his political opponents?

So they say.

He, um, kicked all the Indians out of Uganda in the 1970s. And he said

they were taking over the place.

Probably true.

My grandfather owned a big grocery chain.

Why'd they choose Western Australia?

Nearest place.

With friendly locals.

That's a good reason.

So, you must have a girl in every opera house.

No.

Most of my work's backstage.

Anyway, the girls like the tenors and the baritones.

Not the handsome young designer. Don't give me that.

There is one girl.

She's not a singer. She's a musician.

What about you?

What about me?

Lovers.

No lovers.

A couple of blokes since Andy shot through.

Didn't think much of them.

I might try the internet.

That's all the rage now.

And then there's the pub.

You never know who you'll meet there.

Let's clear it out.

All of it?

Yeah.

Jackie, don't forget the front hedge.

Take down the pictures.

All of them.

The chair that bloody real estate woman bought is going to cripple me.

Yeah, I know, Dad.

It's just so the house looks good for the buyers.

Well, they'd have to be a mob of dickheads to fall for that.

What's that?

It's for you.

What is it? Electric razor?

It's a mobile phone.

I don't need a mobile phone.

Yeah, you do.

You keep it in your pocket and Nicky and I can get you whenever we want.

Won't there be a phone in my luxury cell in the old duffer zone?

There will be.

But with this we can just call you any time.

Yeah, if we're out somewhere.

And you'll be able to see us.

See you where?

Yeah.

I wouldn't know how to work it.

This would baffle that bloke in the war that wanted to crack the German code.

No, but it's really simple, and I'll program it and set it up so that you

press one button to answer it, you have one button to call me, one button to

call Mickey.

Hey, mate, I'll have a chai latte, please.

Do you have almond milk? Yeah, of course. Thank you.

Dad?

Coffee with real milk and sugar. Thank you.

Thank you. Thanks.

I'm sorry, Dad.

What about?

Selling your house and sending you away.

You can't... I know.

I can't cope. You told me.

I'll see you again.

Except for in my magic phone.

Of course.

I think you're really going to like it in Albany.

You've just got it all organised and she's really close so you can go and

her whenever you want.

How will I get to Albany?

Or we'll take you.

I didn't call.

Wonderful.

That's where you set the bird in your back.

Huh?

Go drink.

So, you had us know it.

Why?

The sailor.

He thought perhaps you might not come back.

Yes, it is a beautiful place. I visited the... The con... The Barry Reef.

I was a long way from there.

Of course.

But... You felt tempted, no?

To stay?

Possibly.